We figured it was time to update our to-do list (originally shared here) after living in the house for five months. We’ve crossed off a number of items and naturally added many more — the way projects go.
To stay organized we keep one master list. We circle small, quick wins to tackle right away, cross items off as they’re completed, and underline longer-term projects that need savings and planning. Reviewing the underlined goals keeps us motivated to save for them, while seeing smaller tasks crossed off reminds us that incremental changes add up — tweak a few things here and there and the house slowly becomes a home.
It’s a simple system: write everything down, do what feels doable or fun, and save the big-ticket jobs until we have the cash and the confidence. We generally prioritize based on mood unless something is a safety issue or truly urgent. Below is the updated list (updates and newly added projects are marked in red):
To Do (But Not All At Once…):
- Find saturated or patterned fabric and DIY no-sew curtains for the living room, dining room, office, playroom, hall sliders, and other spaces — maybe I’ll sew some too.
- Paint many rooms over time: the dining room, office, small hallway, kitchen, playroom, sunroom, hall bathroom, and guest bathroom — we’re slowly settling on tones and considering a whole-house color scheme.
- Prime and paint the kitchen paneling (we’ll decide on a color soon).
- Redo the kitchen backsplash and look for tile deals through local vendors and online overstock clearance.
- Replace all kitchen hardware, hunting for bargains at big box stores, online, and locally.
- Prime and paint the oak kitchen cabinets (color TBD) using a tried-and-true method.
- Refinish and reupholster the Craigslist rocker we’ve had for a while.
- Replace many light fixtures throughout the house; we’ve already updated the master bedroom and nursery fixtures and removed some awkward lights and fans.
- Remove all interior door hardware and refinish it in oil-rubbed bronze.
- Frame the mirror in the hall bathroom and paint the vanity.
- Frost or add window coverings to the master bathroom and possibly other bathroom windows; we’ve temporarily added a large mirror above the bedroom sink to reduce the view.
- Create an outdoor cutting garden/alfresco dining area off the kitchen near the sliders for herbs and potted plants.
- Build built-ins around the washer and dryer to add mudroom function and replace upper cabinet doors with practical storage like pull-out baskets.
- Paint the front door for a fresh curbside pop.
- Refinish the sectional legs so they don’t look out of place; we used an oil-rubbed bronze spray for a subtle metallic finish.
- Frame porch columns so they read chunky and square rather than ornate.
- Plant evergreen trees around the property for privacy; we’ll likely opt for smaller, more affordable plants and be patient as they fill in.
- Improve curb appeal with upgraded landscaping.
- Replace the oldest or most awkward mirrors and tiles that don’t work for us.
- Hang mirror(s) in the office to use as dry-erase-style boards for notes and projects.
- Hang thick drapery in front of the walk-in closet and finish organizing the closet and dresser (no more piles on the floor).
- Paint the nook in the master bedroom to blend it with the room for now.
- Remove awkward towel bars, fix window bases, and address odd details that look unfinished.
- Hang a grid of frames above the sectional and work on affordable art solutions for several rooms.
- Update the master bathroom vanity — we’ve already removed the chunky granite backsplash lip, hung a quatrefoil mirror, and painted the walls.
- Paint the dark brick fireplace in the kitchen using a recommended method.
- Add crown molding where it makes sense and consider stenciling or wallpapering tone-on-tone patterns in rooms like the office, hall bathroom, or playroom.
- Try chalkboard paint on a small wall for fun and utility.
- Stencil the inside of Clara’s closet and her ceiling for a subtle surprise.
- Build a sandbox or baby pool for Clara, and add organizational elements near the laundry door for leashes, shoes, and a calendar zone.
- Make or find a longer bench for the foot of the bed and search for a vintage hanging chair for the sunroom.
- Hang lanterns or paper pendants from the sunroom ceiling and add patio lighting and string lights for ambiance outside.
- Build a better compost bin, spray-paint and disguise the rain barrel with plantings, and create raised beds for an edible garden.
- Create a beanbag nook in Clara’s closet, retrofit the playroom daybed with a trundle, and build a play kitchen.
- Recover or refinish smaller furniture pieces like a leather Parsons chair slipcover and thrift or build a larger TV stand that fits the living room better.
- Add practical outdoor touches like a clothesline and hang a swing from a backyard tree.
Long-term Projects (to save and plan for):
- Refinish all wood floors in a cohesive shade for continuity — considering mocha, dark brown, ebony, or charcoal.
- Explore converting the kitchen fireplace into a double-sided feature that opens to the living room — contact a mason for feasibility and an estimate.
- Create a large opening between the kitchen and future dining room aligned with the dining room’s picture window.
- Design or build a custom island for the eat-in kitchen area near the fireplace.
- Convert the carport into an enclosed garage and choose a garage door that adds architectural interest to the ranch-style façade.
- Add French doors between the future dining room and the office for charm and privacy.
- Replace flooring in the kitchen and mudroom/laundry with an appropriate durable option, possibly cork.
- Plan larger landscape and structural projects: a trellis around a garage entrance, a deck (hoping for help from family), a swingset for Clara, roofline adjustments to add peaks for dimension, and someday even a pool or a sunken trampoline.
Furnishings To Slowly Save Up For:
- A queen bed for the master so we don’t sleep on a mattress on the floor.
- A large charcoal gray sectional for the living room once the space is finished and comfortable for one.
- Refinishable dressers for the master — we ended up needing only one dresser and happily inherited one from family.
- A long console or media center that fits the living room better; we built a 12′ console table when we couldn’t find what we needed.
- Stools for the future kitchen island that can be reupholstered, a round pedestal table for the dining room, and comfy upholstered dining chairs.
- New shower curtains, towels, and accessories for the bathrooms and energy-efficient appliances for the kitchen.
- A larger guest bed setup, a new entry console table, matching statement chairs for the office (to refinish and upholster), and patio furniture with planters and cushions.
- A tall cabinet or armoire for a bedroom nook and a capiz-style chandelier for the island in the future kitchen if it fits our budget and aesthetic.
- A large wooden table for the future deck, whether thrifted, purchased, or DIY-built.
We expect this work to play out over the next few years — our first house took 4.5 years to feel finished — so we’re enjoying the journey and taking projects one at a time. Crossing items off the list is satisfying, and color-coding updates is pretty fun too. We jump between rooms to stay motivated: after big projects we often switch to smaller tasks for a breather, or we ride the momentum into the next major project. Whatever comes next will be interesting — funny, frustrating, or rewarding — and we’ll share it along the way.
Psst — See a floor plan in this floor plan post to visualize some of these layout changes. Our Current House page shows many of the completed projects mentioned above.
Psssst — Cute “I heart lists” stationery was found on Etsy.